These are the airlines with the best (and worst) food

While some airlines only offer meager snacks, other ones offer specially curated snacks and meals.

Drink Starbucks on Delta and have a breakfast sandwich on Alaska Airlines.

Flying definitely isn't as glamorous as it used to be. You've probably heard your grandparents (or even parents) bemoan the days when people dressed up to travel, and your flight came complete with a warm, semi-gourmet meal. But today, passengers who wait in winding security lines, fight their way to the gate and cram their luggage into the tiny overhead compartments are lucky if they get a complimentary bag of peanuts.

With this in mind, we've ranked the largest airlines across the country, based on the in-flight food, snacks and beverages. Take a look before you take off so you know how necessary it is to pack some travel snacks and a cocktail kit.

THE 5 BEST AIRLINES FOR FOOD

UNITED AIRLINES

5. United Airlines

United has recently upped its offerings to give everyone in economy a gratis snack. Transatlantic flights are even better, with mid-flight nibbles as well as a pre-arrival treat such as a warmed croissant with jam and a yogurt cup. Depending on where you're headed, you might get a chance to sample the local cuisine before you land. Premiere customers receive five- and six-course meals that feature delicacies from China, India, Japan, Taiwan and the Middle East.

4. Delta

Delta offers some pretty decent in-flight dining options. The coach cabin gets to enjoy hot Starbucks coffee (with those signature Biscoff cookies, of course), and Economy Comfort passengers are given free meals on domestic flights, with choices like fresh sandwiches and wraps like roast turkey and Havarti. The Delta One premium menu even features dishes from celebrity chefs and restaurateurs like Danny Meyer, Linton Hopkins and Michelle Bernstein, depending on your origin and destination.

3. Alaska Airlines

West coast specialty products are featured prominently in the food offered by this Pacific Northwest airline. Alaska has a partnership with famed restaurateur Tom Douglas, which means tasty eats like quality sandwiches and Red Miso Ginger Chicken with fried rice grace the menu. Early risers can even chow down on breakfast sandwiches layered with Beecher's Flagship cheese, and later flights are made easier with complimentary alcoholic beverages. Choose from premium beer, Washington wines and local Seattle liquors.

2. Hawaiian Airlines

This high-end carrier has a variety of exciting meal option onboard, and they definitely don't skimp on flavor. If you're sick of eating bland, mushy pasta during your travels, this is the airline for you, since it serves dishes like wine-braised short ribs with mashed taro root and teriyaki turkey meatballs. Even breakfast packs a punch, with choices like a banh mi breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs and hoisin Sriracha. First class can sample fare from Hawaii's star chefs, plus wine is selected by a master sommelier. The best part? Meals are complimentary for travelers in all classes.

1. Virgin America

Alaska Airlines will soon buy up this beloved airline, but we have to pay homage to it before that comes to pass. From the amazing in-flight entertainment options to the ice cubes that look like his face, Richard Branson's brilliance seems to know no bounds when it comes to air travel. He forged a partnership with Dean & Deluca to bring First Class passengers a selection of curated snacks and introduced high-quality "Flight Bites" like fresh salads and wraps made with local fruits and vegetables that we'd happily eat with our feet on the ground. Settle in, place an order via your seatback entertainment system, and maybe even send a drink to the cutie across the aisle—yep, you can do that.

THE 5 WORST AIRLINES FOR FOOD

5. JetBlue

No need to worry about flight attendants being stingy with the snacks—items like PopCorners, Doritos and Terra Blue chips are free and unlimited on JetBlue flights, plus passengers have the freedom to grab them at their leisure from centrally-located "marketplaces." However, outside of mid-flight munchies, options are limited. Cross-country fliers can purchase EatUp snack boxes or EatUp Café menu items like kale salads, cheese plates and Korean noodle bowls. Just distract your growling belly with the stellar in-flight entertainment.

4. Southwest Airlines

On short flights, peanuts and pretzels are about all you get—no fancy snack boxes for purchase, except for trips with longer durations. We're happy to say that the drink selection is fun, though. Beers and mixed drinks are just $5, with options like seasonal Leinenkugel, Rum-ritas or Tequila and OJ when a screwdriver just isn't cutting it. They're generous with their drink vouchers too, so frequent flyers can count on a complimentary cold one now and then, and cocktails are on them if you're traveling on a select holiday.

3. American Airlines

First class is the way to go if you want any substantial eats aboard an AA flight—there you can score choices like lentil chili or shrimp and grits. Luckily, coach passengers now receive complimentary snacks, but that's just the usual soda-and-a-munchie deal. Prepare yourself: You might need to flirt with the flight attendant to get an extra bag of pretzels.

2. Frontier Airlines

Hope you're not hungry, because you won't be much to nibble on any Frontier flights. The budget carrier has a pretty wimpy selection of snacks, including Chex Mix, beef jerky, gummy bears, Rice Krispies and trail mix. You can purchase bundles like the "Breakfast on the Fly!" (a coffee and Rice Krispies treat) or "Snack Attack," (two sodas and two snacks), but there's not a healthy option in sight. Better to have a stiff drink and wait for it to be over.

1. Spirit Airlines

Getty Images

On an airline where you have to pay for your carry-on and even boarding pass, you can bet that you won't get much in the snack department. Spirit is as no-frills as it gets, offering little more than soft drinks and packaged junk food like Pringles, Combos and Cup Noodles for purchase. Even the booze department is sad, with cheap brews like Bud and Miller Lite on the menu. Maybe just stay home?